David Brennan

David Brennan

Adelaide Dental School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences


David Brennan is Adjunct Professor at the University of Adelaide, in the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health. His research interests include patterns and trends in dental service provision, factors relating to variation in service rates, psycho-social and socio-economic determinants of service use and patient-based outcomes such as health utility measures and quality of life.

He has qualifications in biology and psychology (BA), computer and information science (Grad. Diploma), and public health (MPH, PhD). He has served as a reviewer, associate editor and editorial board member for national and international journals. He has also been a grant assessor for national and international funding agencies, and has served on peer review panels for NHMRC. He has published over 200 journal articles in the scientific literature.

Research Interests:

  • patterns and trends in dental service provision
  • factors relating to variation in service rates
  • psycho-social and socio-economic determinants of service use and health outcomes
  • patient-based outcomes (health utility measures and quality of life)

Current projects:

  • Provider-based studies (Relative Value Unit Study, Dentist Practice Experience Survey and Oral Health Practitioner Study) that investigate dental practice and work-related activities such as time worked, visits supplied and services provided in Australia.
  • Population-based studies such as the Dental Care and Oral Health Study with a focus on socioeconomic and psychosocial factors related to use of dental services, and patient reported outcomes of dental care such as oral health impact, general health utility and quality of life.

 

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2018 - 2021 Director ARCPOH, Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2020 Postgraduate coordinator Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide
    2015 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2013 Deputy Director ARCPOH
    2008 - 2014 Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2008 - 2010 Director AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit
    2003 - 2008 Deputy Director AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit
    2000 - 2008 Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2010 Fellowship Career Development Award NHMRC Australia -
    2007 Award Award of Excellence for most outstanding scientific paper • Australian Dental Journal Australia -
    1997 Scholarship Public Health Postgraduate Research Scholarship NHMRC Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    1997 - 1999 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1994 - 1996 University of Adelaide Australia MPH
    1991 - 1993 University of South Australia Australia Graduate Diploma
    1987 - 1987 Flinders University Australia BA (Hons)
    1984 - 1986 Flinders University Australia BA
  • Research Interests

 

Summary of research funding:

My research has been supported by NHMRC through people support (Public Health Scholarship, Career Development Fellowship) and research support (project grants, partnership project grant, and Centre for Research Excellence). I have been Chief Investigator (CI-A) on an NHMRC-funded CRE in Health Services Research (APP1031310) and also as CI-A on an APHCRI-funded CRE in Primary Health.

 

List of competitive research grants awarded:

Minimally invasive approach to manage early childhood caries in Aboriginal pre-schoolers. CIs: Arrow P, Jamieson LM, McPhee R, Atkinson D, MacKean T, Kularatna S, Tonmukayakul U, Brennan DS, Nanda-Paul S. NHMRC Project Grant (APP1121982) $1,488,220 (Period funded: 2017-2021)

 

Delivering effective dental healthcare in 2020-2030: A national longitudinal partnership study of burden of oral diseases in Australia. CIs: Peres MA, Do LG, Brennan DS, Spencer AJ, Karnon J, Roberts-Thomson KF, Peres KG, Thomson WM, Luzzi L, Harford J. NHMRC Partnership Grant (APP1115649) $1,056,522 (Period funded: 2016-19)

 

Impact of oral health on nutrition intake and general heath of older people – a longitudinal study. CIs: Islam S, Brennan DS, Roberts-Thomson KF. ADRF – International College of Dentists Community Oral Health Award 2015 (#6-2015) $14,400 (Period funded: 2016)

 

A social entrepreneur approach to oral health promotion for older people. CIs: Tan H, Spencer AJ, Brennan DS, Roberts-Thomson KF. IADR Unilever Social Entrepreneur Approach to Change Oral Health Behaviour Award $75,000 (Period funded: 2015)

 

Building a caries free community for the elderly. CIs: Tan H, Brennan DS, Roberts-Thomson KF. Colgate Palmolive Australia (Alliance for a cavity free future). $20,000 (Period funded: 2015)

 

The effects of school functionality on child oral health practices and oral health outcomes. Beckwith KE, Brennan DS, Do L (Chief investigators). Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#10-2012) $5,000 pa (Period funded: 2013)

 

Centre for Research Excellence in Primary Oral Health Care. CIs: Brennan DS, Crocombe LA, Roberts-Thomson KF, Barnett AP, Slack-Smith LM, Bell EJ. Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) $2,500,000 total (Period funded: 2012-13 to 2015-16)

 

How do dental beliefs and behaviours affect oral health-related quality of life among middle-aged and older Chinese immigrants in Australia. CIs: Tan H, Brennan DS. Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#23-2011) $7,000 pa (Period funded: 2012)

 

Assessing the work effort involved in delivery of dental services. Brennan DS, Teusner DN, Harris AH (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#33-2011) $4,478 pa (Period funded: 2012)

 

Mobility of internationally-trained dentists in Australia: evaluating the survey instrument and assessing the mobility of IDGs. Brennan DS, Spencer AJ, Balasubramanian M (Chief investigators). Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#64-2011) $9,600 pa (Period funded: 2012)

 

Dental health services research for improved oral health outcomes. CIs: Brennan DS, Do LG, Roberts-Thomson KF, Spencer AJ. NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) Grant (#1031310) $2,464,677 total (Period funded: 2012-2016; extended 2017)

 

Impact of health policy on the delivery of dental services and child oral health outcomes. Spencer AJ, Do LG, Roberts-Thomson KF, Brennan DS, Mejia G (Chief investigators) NHMRC Partnership Grant (#1016326) $1,259,048 total (Period funded: 2011-2014)

 

Mobility of internationally-trained dentists in Australia: developing and piloting a survey instrument. Brennan DS, Spencer AJ, Balasubramanian M (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#63/2010) $6,500 pa (Period funded: 2011)

 

Use of services and oral health outcomes. Brennan DS. NHMRC Career Development Award (Population Health) (#627037) $104,250 pa (Period funded: 2010-2013)

 

Dental insurance status and its relationship to dental services utilisation. Brennan DS, Spencer AJ, Roberts-Thomson KF, Teusner DN (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#68/2008) $8,000 pa (Period funded: 2009)

 

The impact of insurance on use of dental services and oral health. Brennan DS (Chief investigator), Teusner DN (Associate investigator) NHMRC Project Grant (#565321) $63,625 pa, $66,000 pa, $66,000 pa (Period funded: 2009, 2010, 2011)

 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Workforce Study. Spencer AJ, Brennan DS, Sambrook P, Doddridge M (Chief investigators) ANZAOMS Research and Education Foundation & Trust. $13,304 pa (Period funded: 2008, 2009)

 

Acquisition of treatment choice knowledge among dental undergraduates. Brennan DS, Miller JL (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#50/2007) $2,000 pa (Period funded: 2008)

 

Food choice and tooth loss among the elderly. Brennan DS, Singh KA (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#05/2007) $5,500 pa (Period funded: 2008)

 

Longitudinal assessment of practice beliefs and preferences for patients over a 10-year period. Brennan DS, Spencer AJ (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#23/2006) $4,000 pa (Period funded: 2007)

 

Impact of dental services on quality of life. Crocombe LA, Brennan DS, Slade GD (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#27/2006) $13,000 pa (Period funded: 2007)

 

Nutritional intake and dentition status. Singh KA, Spencer AJ, Brennan DS (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association (#19/2004) $9,000 pa (Period funded: 2005)

 

Development of treatment choice factors over time. Brennan DS, Spencer AJ (Chief investigators) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association $4,000 pa (Period funded: 2004)

 

Determinants of the oral health of adults entering the third decade life-stage. Spencer AJ, Brennan DS (Chief investigators) NHMRC Project Grant (#299057) $62,466 pa, $99,392 pa, $35,741 pa (Period funded: 2004, 2005, 2006)

 

The impact of declining tooth loss on oral health status and dental care utilisation. Brennan DS, Spencer AJ, Roberts-Thomson KF (Chief investigators) NHMRC Project Grant (#250316) $72,500 pa, $32,500 pa, $32,500 pa (Period funded: 2003, 2004, 2005)

 

Analysis of the effectiveness of a simple, inexpensive, saliva-based caries-risk test. Rogers AH, Gully NJ, Brennan DS (Chief investigators) NHMRC Strategic Research Development Committee Grant. $27,438 pa, $2,250 pa (Period funded: 2002, 2003)

 

Measuring the burden of oral disease in general dental practice. Brennan DS (Chief investigator); Spencer AJ (Associate investigator) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association $6,000 pa (Period funded: 2001)

 

Perceptions of the burden of oral disease. Brennan DS (Chief investigator); Spencer AJ (Partner investigator). Adelaide University Small Research Grants Scheme. $5,000 pa (Period funded: 2001)

 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2000 Workforce Study. Spencer AJ (Chief investigator); Brennan DS, Thomson WM (Other investigators) ANZAOMS Research and Education Trust. $20,000 pa (Period funded: 2000)

 

Longitudinal Study of Dentists’ Practice Activity 1998-99. Spencer AJ (Chief investigator); Brennan DS, Szuster FSP (Associate investigators) NHMRC Special Initiative Project Grant. $19,017 pa (Period funded: 1998)

 

Factors influencing service provision in general dental practice. Brennan DS (Chief investigator); Spencer AJ (Associate investigator) Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF), Australian Dental Association $5,000 pa (Period funded: 1998)

 

Factors influencing service provision. Brennan DS (Chief investigator); Spencer AJ (Supervisor) NHMRC Public Health Postgraduate Research Scholarship $21, 680 pa (Period funded: 1997-1999)

 

Longitudinal Study of Dentists’ Practice Activity 1993-94. Spencer AJ (Chief investigator); Brennan DS, Szuster FSP (Associate investigators) Research & Development Grant (RADGAC), Dept. of Health, Housing & Community Services. $22,406 pa (Period funded: 1994-95, 1995-96)

 

Undergraduate teaching:

I was involved in teaching BDS and BOH undergraduates primarily in the courses Social Context of Dentistry and Evidence-based Dentistry.

I was the unit co-ordinator of Evidence-based Dentistry 2009-2020.

My goal in teaching the subject Evidence-based Dentistry is to provide clinically based students with skills in critical evaluation of scientific research that will facilitate better health outcomes and underpin a life-long learning approach consistent with continual professional development.

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Impact of malocclusion on daily events among Brazilian adolescents Master of Philosophy (Dentistry) Master Full Time Miss Snehaja Jujjavarapu
    2019 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Socio-Economic Inequalities in Different Australian Dental Service Providers Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Arash Ghanbarzadegan
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Socioeconomic Gradients in Self-reported Oral Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Mehrsa Zakershahrak
    2019 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Dentist-Patient Relationships and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Youngha Song
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Malocclusions – from infancy to adulthood. What is the influence of infant behaviours on their occurrence and what are the long-term outcomes of orthodontic treatment? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Esma Dogramaci
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Dimensions of oral conditions and health-related quality of life among adults: A population based study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Dandara Gabriela Haag
    2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor The Association Between School Environment and Children's General Health and Oral Health Outcomes in Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Katie Beckwith
    2013 - 2017 Principal Supervisor The Impact of Providing Patients with Internet Guidance on Clinical Decision-Making and Health Care Outcomes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Kamal Maher Batra Hanna
    2013 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Assessing Nutrition as a Mediator between Oral and General Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Saima Islam
    2012 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Dental Insurance, Dental Service use and Health Outcomes: Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness among Australian Adults Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Emmanuel Gnanamanickam
    2010 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Migrant Dentists in Australia: A Qualitative-quantitative Study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Madhan Balasubramanian
    2008 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Private Dental Insurance and Use of Dental Care by Australian Adults Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Dana Teusner
    2005 - 2009 Co-Supervisor Impact of Dental Services on Quality of Life Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Leonard Crocombe
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2017 - 2017 Chair Early Career Fellowships Peer Review Panel NHMRC Australia
    2014 - 2015 Member Career Development Fellowships Peer Review Panel NHMRC Australia
    2014 - 2015 Member Oral disorders expert advisory panel AIHW Australian Burden of Disease Study 2011 Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Low-Risk Human Research Ethics Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2011 - 2013 Member Early Career Fellowships Peer Review Panel NHMRC Australia
    2008 - 2010 Member Oral Health Advisory Committee SA Department of Health Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    1997 - ongoing Member • Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA) Australia
    1994 - ongoing Member • International Association for Dental Research (IADR) -
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2012 - ongoing Board Member Health and Quality of Life Outcomes - -
    2010 - 2016 Associate Editor BMC Research Notes - -
    2010 - 2015 Board Member Journal of Dental Research - -
  • Offices Held

    Date Office Name Institution Country
    1994 - 2000 • Secretary/Treasurer IADR, SA section, Australian/New Zealand Division Australia

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